The 24^th Annual McDonald’s Big Bass Splash kicks off Day 1 on Toledo Bend

George Clay with 8.61 lbs leads Day 1 - By Patty Lenderman 

Nearly a half a MILLION dollars is guaranteed to be given away in cash and prizes May 21-23 at Cypress Bend on Toledo Bend.  The time honored annual McDonald’s Big Bass Splash attracts anglers and spectators from all over the world.  This three day event will see hourly winners, exact weight winners, drawings, bonuses – then at the end, the top five overall will receive additional packages – 1^st place will receive a 2010 Dodge Truck, Triton Bass Boat powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota, Lowrance, Navionics and Power Pole!  

KICKS 105 was on site to keep everyone on and off the water up to date each hour.  In the twilight of the morning as boats launched to head to their starting spots, trying to get first choice, the countdown was on until 6am when they could make their first cast.  No rain in the forecast, manageable wind and temps tickling the 90 degree mark are the anticipated conditions for the weekend. 

Plenty of double digit sows have been caught this year on the Big Bend, and many more are anticipated over the course of the weekend.  Jim Campbell of Many, LA set the initial marker bar during the first hour with his 8.27 lb sow.  His weight held until the last two hours, then got beat by George Clay of Deer Park, TX weighing 8.61 lbs.  A Carolina rigged trick worm in 17+ feet of water is what brought this big sow to the scales.  So far, he’s won $1,000 for the top of the hour then DOUBLED his winnings because he wore an official McDonald’s T-shirt for the Bonus T-shirt hour! 

Each day $5,000 for the first 3.00 and 4.00 lb exact weight bass is awarded, and if any are left unclaimed at the end of the tournament the money will be given away in the open drawing for all participants!  Ricky Smith of Lake Helen, Florida didn’t leave the 3.00 up for grabs very long, claiming his $5,000 win during the first hour.  The 4.00 exact weight was brought in by Mike Shannon of Batson, Texas during the 9-10:00 hour and another $5,000 was awarded. 

The smallest fish to win 1^st weighed 5.84 lbs, brought in during the 11-Noon hour.  The smallest fish to gain a check weighed 2.44 lbs, a 14^th place finish 7-8:00.

So often some kind of record is being set at the Big Bass Splash!  Holly Barry, fishing in the Little Anglers Division, caught a Warmouth weighing 0.68 lbs that may set a new lake record!

The McDonald’s Big Bass Splash hits four hot destinations each year, all known for their world class fisheries.  In March the fun starts at Lake Guntersville, Alabama.  Next is where it all started on Sam Rayburn, Texas in April.  The Toledo Bend event has traditionally been in June, but you know what?  It’s kind of hot in Texas and Louisiana that time of year, so this year the Toledo tournament is being held in May.  Once the summer heat starts to dissipate, it is off to Lake Fork, Texas for the final event of the year in September.  For all of the details, visit www.SealyOutdoors.com or call 888-698-2591.